Well done FORD FIESTA!!!
For two days and 1105km, 53 crews in cars and bakkies from 21 manufacturers took to the Mpumalanga Lowveld at the weekend for the 36th annual Total Economy Run, to name the most efficient vehicles in the passenger market today. Manufacturers and dealers entered petrol, diesel and hybrid-powered models in various classes for engine capacities from 1100cc to 3001cc. Each vehicle had a crew of two – driver and navigator – and an appointed observer to keep them honest. Drivers had to maintain specific speeds and arrive at check points at specified times, which prevented them from pussyfooting at unrealistic speeds – and the whole field is sufficiently accurately monitored that it is possible to calculated their fuel consumption in litres per 100km to five decimal places.
AND THE WINNER IS…
The Ford Fiesta Ambiente TDCi manual has been named the most fuel efficient car in South Africa following this weekend’s Total Economy Run. Driven by Stuart Greig and Wynand Gerber the Fiesta used just 4.485 litres per 100km, to claim the overall and Class L laurels. The Fiesta’s state-of-the-art common-rail injection Duratorq TDCi engine features advanced technologies that ensure optimal fuel economy and CO2 emissions without sacrificing on performance. The 1560cc motor develops 66kW at 4000rpm and has a torque peak of 200Nm at just 1500rpm equating to a 0-100 acceleration time of 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 175km/h.